Peek-A-Boo

After Long Delay, Police Begin Part-Time Operation of US$5.8 million in X-ray Surveillance Equipment at Bali’s Two Main Seaports

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(8/10/2013)

New details are emerging on the long delay of putting into full operation US$5.6 million in X-ray equipment designated to inspect vehicles arriving at the Bali seaports of Gilimanuk and Padang Bai.

The Bali Post quotes Bali Police Chief General Arief Wachyunadi who claims that after some six months sitting idle in shipping crates, the X-ray machines are finally being operated at the two ports on an intermittent basis.

Speaking on August 6, 2013, General Wachyunadi said: “The X-ray equipment is now operating, both in Gilimanuk and Padang Bai. The operational costs are being borne by the provincial police.”

The Chief of Police said the grant that supplied the x-ray machines made no allowance for upkeep and ongoingoperating costs. What’s more, Wachyunadi says, the cost of running the machines is very high requiring the use of expensive top-quality fuel. Because of this, these high costs must be found from limited operational funds available to the police.

In order to reduce these costs, the x-ray machines are not turned on a daily basis, but only during peak traffic periods such as the current Lebaran crush of holiday travelers.

Requests have been made in the 2014 State Budget to pay the operation costs of the X-rays that will permit their full-time use at the two ports.